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i (No Model.) 4 Smetssheet 1Q J. BQA'LLPRBBQ FLUR PAKING MACHINE. I

No. 359,951. Patented Mar. Z2, 1887.

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J. B.A ALLFRBE. FLOUR PAGKNG MACHINE.

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Patented Mar. 22, l88'7.

(No Model J. B. ALLFREE. PLOUR PACKING MAGHNE.

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J. B. ALLFREE. PLOUR PACKING'. MACHINE.

Patented Mar; 2,2, 1887.

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JAMES B. ALLFREE, OF CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND, ASSlGNOR OF ONEHALF TO ROBERT SHRIVER AND HARRISON SVART'ZVELDER, BOTH OF SAME PLAGE.

FLOUR-PACKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,951, dated March 22, 1887.

Application filed June 1,1886. Serial No. 203,866. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, .Linus B. ALLFREE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gumberland, in the county of Alleghauy and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flour-Packing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machines for packing io flour and similar substances into barrels or other receptacles; and it consists, substantially, in such combinations of parts and details of construction as will hereinafter be distinctly described, and pointed ont in the claims.

The invention relates more particularly to that class of flour-packers 'in which are employed a packing auger and a surrounding packing-tube and a vertically-moving platform upon which the barrel or other receptazo cle is placed, such platform being so regulated and controlled by suitable mechanism as to gradually recede or descend from the auger as the receptacle is being iilled.

The objects of the invention are to provide z 5 a machine of this character of a construction by which a more perfect result is had than in many former instances, and to render such machine more sensitive and rapid in its operation and of greater economic value and convenience.

Referring to the accompanying sheets of drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical front elevation ofa flour-packing machine in which my invention is embodied, and Fig. 2 represents a vertical side elevation thereof. Fig.

3 represents a vertical sectional elevation.

Fig. 4 indicates a horizontal sectional view taken on the line ir x of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line y i/ of Fig. l.

In the drawings, l 2 3 4L represent the four columns or uprights, which are securely held together by crossstrips a @,and constitute the stationary frame of the machine. At a con venient height or point on the outside of the frame, at its sides,hearings B B', are bolted fast to the posts, in which is placed and held the f horizontal shaft C, of sufficient length to project outward at one end far enough to receive and accommodate the brake-wheel D, which 5o is keyed or otherwise secured thereto.

shaft is the prime medium through which the This moving platform is supported,raised,lowered, regulated, or controlled during the process of filling or packing the receptacles. Around the said horizontal shaft C, between the inner sides of the framing, is coiled a spring, D', of suitable strength and dimensions, one end of which is attached or secured tothe shaft, while the other end is held by an adjustable gripclutch or ratchet and pawl, E, attached by suitable means, c, to the side of the vertical post 4, as shown, by which the spring D may be wound up and set or held to any desired tension, and the force thus derived applied or imparted to the shaft O, whereby the platform l? is automatically raised to its full height and the increasing weight of the receptacle, as it becomes illed with iiour, is compensated.

Fixed or secured to the shaft, at or near each end thereof, to the outer side of that portion covered by the spring and inside of the vertical posts, are two grooved sectors, G G', of such diameter that their peripheries will be inline with the axis of the vertical packing-auger shaft F, and of such length and form of periphery as that the receptacle-platform l? will be raised toits fullheight by one-half rotation of the horizontal shalt, and when thus elevated the supporting chains or ropes b b', by which such platform is suspended, will be received into the grooves of their peripheries.

The forward ends of the sectors G G are yadapted for the reception of screw-eyes h h',

from which the supporting chains or ropes depend, and by which their length is adjusted to cause the platform to hang level and travel freely in its ways or guides without binding.

'The platform is inclosed all around, except at the front, by sheet-iron or other suitable material, to prevent flour from falling onto the floor and becoming wasted. lt is also provided at its sides with strips of wood 5 6, ver tically arranged and partly embracing the posts l and 2 of the stationary framing. Being suspended by the wire rope or chains b b on both sides of and parallel to the axis or line of thrust of the packing-shaft F, all tendency to binding or locking of the platform in its guides is entirely overcome, no matter what amount of pressure may be applied, and a prevalent cause of friction and irregular working removed.

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At another convenient point on the outside of the frame is bolted securely the clamp-vise J., the same being arranged in such position as that its jaws j j shall inclose the rim of the brake-wheel D. This vise is provided with a Spring, d, near its lower extremity, by which even pressure of the jaws upon the wheel is maintained, and is also provided with a thumbscrew, g, for regulating the tension of the spring, and a cam-lever, K, for instantly-relieving or applying the pressure of the jaws j j, said jaws being supplied or provided with suitable material, t' -as leather-to produce the necessary friction without wearing or defacing the brake-wheel. The rim of the brakewheel has its sides turned off smooth, so as to present uniform parallel surfaces to the grasp of the vise. By this device noother friction than that applied to the brake-wheel itself lis caused, and the surfaces brought into action to produce the friction being small and the grip correspondingly greater, their action is very uniform and not affected by atmospheric changes, asis the case with all other forms of brakes now used in this connection.

M represents the usual hopper, constructed, preferably, of sheet-iron and of such Vshape as may be required to conduct from the bin to the packing-tube N the material to be packed: into the receptacles. Its lower end terminates in a cast-iron ring, Z, of proper size to receive the iiange of the packing-tube, and is supported by the bracket Q, securely bolted to the frame and formed so as not to interfere with the movements of the sectors G G. The front, m, of this hopper is of cast-iron, and is adapted tobe removed for convenience ofcoustruction and access to the interior of the hopper when necessary.

When it is required to change from one sized package to another, it also becomes necessary to change the packing-auger 'n2 and the tube N, to suit the size of package to be filled. To effect this change the iiour in the hopper M must be `stopped off from the tube, which is usually performed with a slide located above the tube in some convenient place; andwhen the slide is not in use some means must be employed to close the opening through which such slide is passed or inserted. v

The most convenient place to locate the Vslide k is just above the tube and in the tubering Z, a slot, a, being provided for the purpose; but the objection to this place is the presence of the vertical packing-auger shaft F, passing through the center of the space,

' which requires the slide tobe cleft to its center with a slot the size of the shaft. In effecting a change of the tube N a quantity of 4flour necessary to provide against escape of our through the slot n while the slide `t is not lin use, and for this purposeI employ a rubber or other flexible band or apron, a', whichl is located onthe inside of `the chamber 1- ofl the hopper M, and is so attached to the front piece, m, as `tohang before the opening or slot laand` completely close the same.

matically descends or returns and closes the opening, thus etfectually acting to prevent the` escape of flour.

In order to drive the packing-auger` n2 the upper end of its shaft, which is mounted `inl bearings t, is provided withva beveled gearwheel, T, that receives motion ithroughlthel beveled pinion T', attached to the horizontal driving-shaft U, which `is suitably connected with the power from whence it derives its mo-` The bearing 4v ofthe said driving-shaft and whendepressedl they will beoutof gear` and the packing-shaft stopped. Attached to the other end of the lever Visan adjustable screw-eye, w, to which issuspended a connecting-rod, w', whose other or lower end iis connected` to a lever, X, having a handle` at lits forward end, and whiehlis pivotedat its other i end to a rod, Y, extending across the frame of the machine at vthe rea-r; The forward-end of said lever X moves or travels in` a slotted guide, x, attached :to the.` front vert-ical post, l

2, which is provided near the base or bottom of the slot with a suitable `notchhor catchpi,

into which the lever is set when it is desired to put the beveled wheelsT Tl-into gear for starting the packingauger.,` On the side of the platform E, contiguous to the lever X, is l attached vertically a rod, i, carrying an-'adjustable nger, 1 which is shaped and set so as to be 'capableof pushing the-said lever out of its catch, whereupon the pinion Twill drop out ot' gear automatically by. reason of aits weight, which largely `overbalances thel other parts attached to thelever V, and the packing-auger is instantly stopped.

On iutroductionl of the slide this apron is pressed back -orl up-4 ward, thus allowing insertion thereof, andi when the slide `is withdrawn :the apron auto-l IOO IOS

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The machine ,described isl what is known as a right-hand packer,77 the attachments for connecting and disconnecting the power being Y at the right-handside of .the-frame. In-order to convert it into a left-handy machine, `the lever V, carrying the driving-shaft, is pivoted to the'left-hand post and the connecting-rod;-

w is attached at its lower end to an larm, W, fixed .to the rod Y, through which itis actuated by the lever X, a suitable guide and trip `being provided on the upright l.

For enabling the packing-tubesto be changed quickly, I employ a cleft rim or iiange, a, to

which are attached lugs al, adapted to receive a tightening-screw, es. This flange is of such diameter and length as to conveniently fit the ring Z of the hopper M while the screw is loosened, and to grasp such ring firmly when the screw is tightened.

It will be seen that the platform may be raised or lowered to its extremes with but onehalf rotation of the horizontal shaft C; also, that the spring receives only the strain caused by the half-turn of the shaft, and being made `of half-inch steel and having, say, about thirty-three coils, its liability to breakage is very slight; and, further, that the brake exerts no pressure on the bearings of the said horizontal shaft; and, further, that the platform, loeing practically centrally hung, cannot be made to bind in its guides by any amount of pressure. The friction not under control is thereby reduced to a minimum, and the force or power required for the work to be done is correspondingly reduced, while the life of the machine is prolonged.

rlhe brake-wheel D is provided with a safety-pin, 0*, which is designed to come in contact with a rubber bumper, Q, should the brake .I fail to operate, and thus save the spring, as the brake-wheel can only move a half-turn.

, The bearing for the upper end of the augershaft is of a constructionthat is to say, a gimbal-joint-as shown, by which such shaft is permitted to have a universality of nievement; or, in other words, the said shaft is permitted to have a slight rocking movement in addition to its freedom to revolve, this being desirable for the purpose of ease of operation thereof in the packing process, the said bearing being held against upward thrust by a brace-rod, k", as shown.

The bearing of the drive-shaft is constituted of a sleeve, as shown, attached in any snitable manner to its supporting-lever; and it is evident that the shaft is permitted a free and uninterrupted movement in its action, the said lever being at` right angles to the said shaft.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a flour-packer, the combination, with the horizontal shaft, the spring D, and brakewheel, of a pair of jaws pivoted together and attached to the supporting-frame, the same embracing the rim of the brake-wheel, a pressurespring for said jaws, and an adjustingscrew, and acam hand-level', whereby the pressure may be instant-ly applied or relieved, substantially as described.

2. In a flour-packer, the combination, with the slide L', cleft or slotted to its center, of a shutter adapted to be closed over the slot for preventing the escape of flour while the packing-tubes are being changed, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the horizontal shaft G and means for controlling the same, of the moving platform and supporting chains or ropes and the sectors GG', arranged upon the shaft near each end, and to which the supportingchains am adjustably suspended, the said sectors being so constructed on their peripheries as to receive the chains upon elevation of the platform, substantially as described.

4. In a flour-packer, the combination, with the horizontal shaft, the spring D', and brakewheel provided with pin Of, of a pair of pivoted jaws embracing the wheel and'provided with buffer Qi, a pressure-spring for said jaws, and an adjusting-screw, and a cam hand-lever for instantly applying or relieving the pressure, substantially as described.

In a flour-packer, the sectors secured to the horizontal shaft, whereby the moving platform is raised or lowered by means of the suspending chains or ropes, in combination with the said shaft and platform, substantially as described.

6. In a flour -packer of the character described,the combinatiomwith the brake-wheel, of frietional gripping-jaws pivoted together and secured to the main frame of the machine, the pressure-spring between the arms of the jaws, the adj ustingscrew, and the cam-lever, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in a flour-packer having a vertically-moving platform suspended by ropes or chains from sectors keyed on a horizontal shaft, of a spring coiled around this shaft between its end bearings in the main frame and having one end attached to said shaft and the other end attached to an adjustable grip-clutch secured to the frame, substantially as described..

8. Ihe combination of the vertieallymovable platform, the suspension chains or ropes thereof, the sectors keyed on ahorizontal shaft and having chains or ropes secured to their periphery in the plane of the axis of the augershaft, the spring coiled on said horizontal shaft and made adjustable, as described, a brake-wheel, and a friction brake, substantially as described.

9. Thecombinatiomin a Hour-packer, of the stationary frame, the movable platform, the horizontal shaft bearing sectors, to which this platform is iiexibly attached, the coiled spring secured to thesaid shaft and adapted to receive tension by twisting its coils, means for adjusting and maintaining this tension, a friction-brake, and a brake-wheel provided with a stop-pin adapted to be arrested by a cushion, Q4, substantially as described.

l0. The combination, in aour-paclier, with the hopper having a depending ring, of the packing-tube having a cleft rim provided with lugs and an adj Listing-screw, ahorizontal cleft slide, and a shutter for closing the cleftor slot therein, substantially as described.

1l. In a flour-packer, the combination,with the anger-shaft having a beveled gear thereto,

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of a drivingshaft bearing` a beveled pinion adapted to. engage said gear, a vertically-vibratingjournal for said shaft applied toa lever having its fulcrnm in the main frame, a rod connecting one arm of said .lever to a hand lever and adjnstably applied to the former lever, and a retaining device for the handdcver, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with thejournal a of shaft U, the vertically-vibrating lever V, the hand-lever x, and connecting-rod w', of the slotted guide, the platform P, and the Vertical rod '1, carrying an adjustable iinger, y', all combined and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

13. In a ourpacker, a vertically-movable guided platform suspended fro m sectors, which are keyed on a horizontal spring actuated shaft, in combination with a packing device inclosed in a tube, the Vertical axis of which coincides with a vertical plane intersecting the perimeters of said sectors, substantiallyas described.

14. In a flour-packer, a vertically-movable guided platform open in front and closed at i the sides and lback, in combination with suspension chains arranged inia Vertical plane coinciding with the vertical plane of the axis of the packing-tube, an augenshaft hung from` a gimbal, the drivinggear for this shaft, and` a shaft, C, bearing` sectors, and an adjustable tension-spring, substantially as described.`

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my 

